Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi faced major disruptions on February 16, 2026, as aviation workers launched an industrial strike, leading to widespread confusion, severe delays, and numerous flight cancellations.

The action paralysed operations at Kenya’s principal air gateway, inconveniencing thousands of travellers.

Departing flights from JKIA, one of Africa’s busiest transport hubs, experienced delays of up to four hours.

Passengers reported being stranded at the airport or confined in aircraft for extended periods, waiting for clearance.

Kenya Airways acknowledged the operational delays, noting that departures and arrivals were affected.

The airline advised passengers to anticipate schedule changes, issued an apology, and emphasized efforts to minimize disruptions while maintaining safe operations.

The strike arose from long-standing grievances by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which had issued a warning a week earlier.

Workers cited insufficient pay, poor working conditions, stalled salary negotiations, delayed union remittances, and alleged discrimination by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) management.

KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiemaconfirmed the strike began at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT), creating a significant backlog and severely affecting national air travel.

Travellers bore the brunt of the disruption.

Kenyan Senator Boni Khalwale recounted being forced to travel by road from Kisumu after waiting at the airport for many hours.

Other passengers expressed frustration, with one noting that travellers were experiencing “the true meaning of patience and character development”, humorously suggesting carrying a mattress if flying that day.

In response, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) activated contingency plans, urging passengers to contact airlines for updates.

KCAA, which had previously obtained a temporary court order to suspend the strike, affirmed its active engagement with relevant parties in line with labour laws and court directives.

The authority also implemented measures to ensure aviation safety and service stability during the industrial action.

The disruption at JKIA highlighted the airport’s strategic importance as a major regional hub and its role as a gateway connecting Africa to the world.

With approximately nine million passengers handled last year, the strike underscored persistent labour disputes in the aviation sector and the pressing need for a lasting resolution to maintain smooth air travel services.